The Rockport Public Library announces a new series of programs to be held throughout 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The first presentation in the series, “Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestors,” will be given by Helen Shaw on Wednesday, March 18, at 1 p.m., in the library’s lower level. 

While many of the tools and resources discussed are widely applicable to general genealogical research projects, Shaw’s talk will primarily focus on finding ancestors who would have been living in Maine during the second half of the 18th century. She will also be providing added context with an overview of what life would have been like for people living in Maine and the midcoast area during this complicated and war-torn time.

Helen A. Shaw, CG®, has been researching her family history for over fifty years and has been a certified genealogist since 2010. She is past president of the Maine Genealogical Society and presently is the chair of the Maine State Cemetery Preservation Commission. Shaw is past regent and registrar of the Lady Knox Chapter, NSDAR, and past registrar and parliamentarian of the Maine State Organization DAR. She is a member of several national, state, and local genealogy societies and has an extensive genealogy publication list — including as incoming editor for the Maine Families in 1790 book series.